Abstract:
This mixed-method research aimed to 1) explore conceptual framework of happiness among undergraduate students in the context of Buddha Dhamma, 2) develop Happiness Scale as a result, and 3) establish the norms of the scale. The 1st phase was a qualitative study on happiness in the context of Buddha Dhamma through in-depth interviews with 26 purposely chosen undergraduate students. Data were analyzed through grouping of similar themes with ATLAS.ti 6.2, while the 2nd phase involved scale development, assessment, and norm establishment among 1,877 undergraduate students from 10 universities in five regions of Thailand, gathered via the multistage random sampling. Data were analyzed by SPSS for Windows and LISREL. The final outcome is the conceptual framework of happiness among undergraduate students developed from qualitative data composed of five components: 1) life satisfaction, 2) interdependence, 3) faith in life of integrity, 4) peaceful mind, and 5) wisdom and understanding of the truth of life. The evaluation of the technical adequacies of this scale revealed 1) content validity as affirmed by the guest specialists, 2) criterion related validity was tested against PAÑÑĀ Scale (r = .76), Psychological Well-Being Scale (r = .13 to .53), STAI Form Y-1 (A-State) (r = -.60), and STAI Form Y-2 (A-trait) (r = -.73), 3) construct validity was confirmed by the known-group technique (t = 4.5, p < .001) and the second order confirmatory factor analysis. The second order confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model developed fitted with the empirical data (X²= 74.23; df = 59; p = .087; CFI = .99; GFI = .99; AGFI = .99; SRMR = .02; RMSEA = .01; X²/df = 1.26), and 4) the overall Cronbachs alpha coefficient was at .92. The norm development yielded the Normalized TScore range of T16-T84. The findings from this study resulted in an instrument for exploration, screening, and assessment of happiness relevant to the context of Buddha Dhamma and Thai culture. This conceptual frame can also serve as a guideline to develop happiness among students during their period of personal growth.